Naval Base offers civilians, military a top course

Seabee Course is great place to mix with military, play a round

Courtesy of Seabee Golf Club
Hole No. 8 is a par 5 and No. 1 handicap hole at the Seabee Golf Club, located on the Naval Base in Port Hueneme.

It's not often during a round of golf that you have the chance to watch a tank roll by as you're waiting to hit your tee shot.

The interesting sights that surround players is just one of the many things that makes the Seabee Golf Club, located on the Naval Base in Port Hueneme, a unique place to play.

"It gives civilians a chance to get a peak behind the curtain," said Dan Alpern, the Naval Base Ventura County marketing director. "When you come here you will probably see things not typically seen on a golf course. And you get to rub shoulders with the men and women in our military, which most people who come out really enjoy doing."

For some in the area, it may come as a surprise that the Seabee course is open to the public. Head professional Robert Capelli and his staff call their golf course one of the best-kept secrets in the county, but they would love for that to change.

About half of the rounds played each year are played by civilians, but Capelli said there is plenty of room for more play.

"This course is a hidden gem that just doesn't get utilized as much as it should be," Capelli said. "Our pace of play is usually less than four hours and it's never a problem to get a tee time.

"We feel like our rates are as competitive as any place in the county ($24 weekday, $29 on weekends). And thanks to our superintendent, Mike Duszynski, and his staff, the course is always in great shape and the greens are some of the best in the county."

Capelli believes the fence surrounding the course and the patrol gate that guards the entrance give the impression that the course isn't a public facility.

There are golfers who know that it's open but believe it's too hard to get access. While it's gotten a little tougher to get on the base since 9/11, it's really not as difficult as some think.

The process starts with going to the Pass & ID office located at the main gate at Ventura Road and Sunkist. The golfer fills out an application for an annual golf access pass. Once the proper background check is completed, the golfer picks up the pass and receives access to the course for one year.

"Once you have the pass, you can literally call the pro shop and see about playing the same day you're calling," Capelli said. "The public can call as much as a week in advance to get a tee time."

Unlike a private course where a member can bring guests on the course, each civilian must have a golf access pass.

"I had some of my friends get passes so they could come out with me and play," Alpern said. "I only took up the sport recently, but it's a great course for newcomers. It's not crowded so you don't have to worry about holding people up if you're having a rough hole, and it's not very long and it's pretty wide open."

Capelli said it's a great course for women and for senior players who might feel intimidated by today's golf courses that can play close to 7,000 yards.

"There's no forced carries out here, and while we have some water and the usual trees and bunkers, it's a course that doesn't have a ton of trouble," Capelli said. "We have women and seniors who come out and play on a regular basis, but we would love to have more."

Camarillo resident Jim Bautista, a 6-handicap, plays at several places in the county, but he's a regular at the Seabee Course. Bautista plays once a week with a group of friends who are all retired military personnel.

"It's a fun course to play," said Bautista, who also plays at River Ridge, Tierra Rejada and Camarillo Springs. "It's in good condition and the greens are some of the best I have ever played on. I tell people all the time they should come out and play."

The course's original nine holes were built in the mid 1950s, with the back nine being put in around 1986. Over the years, such notable players as Corey Pavin and Paul Stankowski were regulars at the course, developing skills they would use on the PGA Tour.

While it's located on a government facility, the course isn't funded by taxpayer money, but rather non-appropriated money, which is basically a fund supported by sailors.

"If we spend $1, they want us to try and put back a dollar and five cents into the fund so we give back to that fund more than we take out," Capelli said. "It works that way for everything — from daily green fees to revenue we get from holding tournaments."

The course is open for outside tournaments and more groups are starting to book events.

Capelli has worked at the course for 11 years. He loves the friendships he's developed and the chance to get to know the military personnel.

"Many of the civilians who play here have told me how much they enjoy meeting the military personnel," Capelli said. "Whether it's a guy who is just back from Afghanistan or someone who served in the past and is now retired, it's nice to get to know them and say thanks for their service."

Golfers interested in playing should contact NBVC Seabee Golf at 805-982-2620 for information to obtain an annual golf access pass.